Tuesday, January 15

Inspiration to face my Giants.....

David had Goliath, Samson had Delila, and Moses had the entire Israelite nation. We each have those things to which our dear friends in the body quip, "With the faith of a mustard seed, you can MOVE that mountain!!!!" We all have those things, that make our jaws drop to the floor as it rises higher and higher in the skyline of our lives......and our hearts quiver......and our hands suddenly lose the ability to hold on to the sword and shield...........

And we react to those mighty giants one of two ways;

either in a Monty Python panic....Runaway! Runaway! Runaway!

or in King Leonius of Sparta style......."Today is a GOOD day to DIE!"

We can even combine the two into a weird twist of our hearts crying out "Runaway! Runaway!" as our faith cries outloud in a loud cry, "Today is a GOOD day..." Inspiring those around us to look at us like we have taken all leave of our facilities..........

We all have those things that inspire our fear and our passions.

We can be like David, stepping forward to convince the King that he was willing and able to defend God's honor before this measly giant. We can even try on different styles of approach on defeating them, like David trying on the armor of the King and deciding that his sling and stones were better suited for his limitations, physical ability, and experience.

We can be like Leonius, honed by years and culture to perform as grown, a lean and mean fighting machine.

Or, we can be a combination of the two; moving forward with what we know will work (though seemingly inadequate) and what we have knowledge in while growing and learning and being discipled into a leaner, 'meaner', and more powerful fighting machine...............

More and more, I am facing giants that are stomping across my journey path. They come and go in seemingly random order, as if there is some giant UNION that is farming the work out to unionized members so that everybody gets a slice of good ole me...........

And they are finding me pretty much in the same, almost naked state, as I was in when I was in the world. Personal issues strung across my shoulders as a pack, self image worn as sandals worn and bruised, and a pretty common mug. So they eagerly grin and start swinging their massive swords as they approach such easy prey.............

In times past, they would simply wipe the ground with the measly remains of my defense, which usually consisted of, "OH NO" and a monty python attempt to run.

But not since I joined the most powerful army in the world, no....in the whole of Heaven. Not since God appointed me a solider in the Army of God. Not since I've been joined to one of the specialist units within His command. Not since I've been 'taken in' by the members of the 'A' Squad, who are the ones who are commissioned to fight in the thick of it..... Not since I've realized I am worthy of the battle.

I have come into contact with giants of another kind; those who hearts are mightier than any sword and who's love for others cast a wider covering than any shield. And they are showing me how to be one of them!

So I stand firm against the giants that come; self worthlessness, inability, and doubt to name a few of them. I stand, quaking like a can of paint being mixed, and my palms get sweaty and my heart races so fast it would put the Monty Python retreat look like a walk in a park by comparision. I stand, not yet fully grown to wear the stately armor of the King, but comfortable in my shepherder's clothing and a sling in my hand.

And I have come to the realization that sometimes.......

sometimes...............................................................

Its not necessary sometimes to move the giants that threaten you on the landscape of the journey, that only comes by the exuding power of a King Leonius, intimidating them into their own flight of fear.

You don't have to pray for some kind of covering in which you can pass them by so that you can gain more strength, more experience, or even more desire to face them at a latter date.

All you have to do is stand........your simple sling at your side, swinging in preparation of flight. Your eyes focused on that centerpoint of the forehead of the approaching giant. Your knees may knock against each other like bongo drums. Your teeth might join in with cymbal noises. Your heart might whisper in ever louder voicings, RUN!!!

Sometimes all it takes is a simple flick of the wrist at the apex of the swing, launching the tiny stone of our faith smoothly into flight in a dead, straight-on aim at the giant's forehead.

Don't let fear of anything stop you from standing your ground, for if you are grounded in Christ, it is firm ground indeed. Sometimes your giants won't fall to your own faithfilled stone, but the stones thrown by your brothers and sisters in the Army of God. Sometimes they will simply turn and run. And sometimes they will rage against your attack, drawing blood.

The only trick is to draw your giants in; and don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes..........

Stay focused, Aim true, and let go.

God will take care of the rest.

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